Gisele Pelicot: Husband destroyed my life and betrayed me, says woman at mass rape trial center that shocked France | World news

The woman at the center of a rape trial that shocked France has spoken for the first time in court, saying she cannot understand how the “perfect man” destroyed her life.

Gisele Pelicot, 72 years old, was sedated and raped by her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot.

For nearly a decade, he crushed sleeping pills and other anti-anxiety medications into her food and drink and allegedly recruited men online to rape her.

He has already admitted to the charges for the crimes, committed between 2011 and 2020, and said he organized men to come to her house and rape her while she was in a coma.

Supported by her family, Gisele was applauded when she arrived at court this Wednesday.

She spoke directly to her ex-husband during the testimony

“I still don’t understand how this man who was perfect could do this, destroy my life and betray me,” she said.

“I haven’t been able to look Dominique Pelicot in the face – but today I speak to him,” she said as part of a mid-trial statement.

“We have been together for 50 years. I was a happy wife; We have three children and seven grandchildren.

“You were a good husband and a good man, and I trusted you. I never doubted you,” she said, starting to cry.

But this good man, she told the court, was responsible for her being raped 100 times.

She expressed anger and disbelief that he allegedly allowed people into his rooms when she knew he was against swinging.

When she became ill, he accompanied her to the gynecologist, she told the court. She said no one suspected anything.

“My life turned upside down. You chose to do this,” she told him.

The judge asked about her mealtime routine, referring to evidence that Dominique Pelicot had put drugs in her food.

Gisele Pelicot said he ate a lot of meals and often brought her ice cream afterwards.

“I thought ‘wow’, I’m lucky to have a husband who takes care of me like this,” she told the court, explaining that she was completely unaware that the food was drugged.

She said she must have fallen asleep quickly as she often woke up tired and in her pajamas.

If she was raped during the day, she said her husband must have drugged her orange juice.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

During interrogation, she was asked whether she thought her ex-husband had acted out of revenge.

She said she considered he might be trying to punish her after she had a lover in their relationship about 30 years ago.

Mrs. Pelicot also said her ex-husband talked about lovers.

Forty-nine of the 51 men on trial, including Dominique Pelicot, are accused of rape, one of attempted rape and one of sexual assault.

Some of them admit to the accusations, but say they did not intend to commit rape.

Most deny the accusations, some claiming to believe they were part of a game between the couple.

The men are between 26 and 74 years old and the majority lived in the southeast France. Among them are a journalist, soldier and truck driver.

They face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Gisele Pelicot waived her right to anonymity to ensure evidence is heard in public, saying “shame must change sides”.

People across France gathered in demonstrations in his name to show their support.

The trial is expected to continue until the end of the year.